Aguas Calientes, Peru: travel guide
Also called Machu Picchu Pueblo — the small river-gorge town at the foot of Machu Picchu, reachable only by train or foot, where visitors overnight before the citadel.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN
- Time zone
- America/Lima
Top places to visit in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu Citadel
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · entry PEN 152
The 15th-century Inca citadel set on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba valley — Peru's marquee attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry is by timed ticket along fixed circuits; the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain climbs…
Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths
Nature · 3.8 rating · about 1.5 h · entry PEN 20
The natural hot springs that give the town its name, a short uphill walk from the main street. A cluster of warm mineral pools popular for soaking tired legs after the citadel or the Inca Trail.
Mariposario de Machu Picchu
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry PEN 15
A butterfly house and conservation centre on the road toward the citadel bridge, showcasing native cloud-forest butterfly species and breeding programmes.
Putucusi Mountain Viewpoint Trail
Viewpoint · 4.0 rating · about 3 h
A steep, free hiking trail up Putucusi mountain offering a dramatic alternative view across the valley toward Machu Picchu. The route includes near-vertical wooden ladders and is often closed or hazardous when wet.
Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón
Museum · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · entry PEN 22
The site museum near the foot of the road to the citadel, displaying artefacts recovered from Machu Picchu and interpreting Inca construction and daily life. Includes a small botanical garden.
Plaza Manco Cápac
Cultural · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h
The main square of Machu Picchu Pueblo, anchored by the town church and a statue of the Inca Pachacutec. The social heart of the town, lined with restaurants and shops.
Mercado Artesanal
Market · 3.6 rating · about 0.8 h
The large handicraft market travellers pass through on the way from the train station, packed with alpaca textiles, souvenirs and Andean crafts.
Things to do
- Machu Picchu Guided Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from PEN 160 per person
- Sunrise at Machu Picchu Sightseeing · 5 h · from PEN 200 per person
- Huayna Picchu Climb Hiking · 3 h · from PEN 220 per person
- Machu Picchu Mountain Hike Hiking · 3.5 h · from PEN 200 per person
- Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths Soak Nature · 1.5 h · from PEN 20 per person
Day trips and tours
- Machu Picchu Full Day from Aguas Calientes 7 h · from PEN 420
- Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Combo 8 h · from PEN 560
Where to stay in Aguas Calientes
- Centro (Aguas Calientes) about PEN 80 per night
The compact town below Machu Picchu — stay here to catch the first morning buses up to the citadel.
Hotels
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge 5-star · PEN 3,800 to PEN 6,500 per night
- Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel 5-star · PEN 1,500 to PEN 2,600 per night
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel 5-star · PEN 1,400 to PEN 3,800 per night
- El MaPi by Inkaterra 4-star · PEN 600 to PEN 1,100 per night
- Supertramp Hostel Machupicchu 2-star · PEN 45 to PEN 220 per night
Where to eat
- Indio Feliz French, Peruvian, Fusion · about PEN 70 per person
- The Tree House Restaurant International, Peruvian, Andean · about PEN 75 per person
- Mapacho Craft Beer & Peruvian Cuisine Peruvian, Andean, Pub · about PEN 60 per person
- Café Inkaterra Peruvian, International, Andean · about PEN 120 per person
- Toto's House Peruvian, Andean, Buffet · about PEN 65 per person
- Chullpi Machupicchu Restaurante Peruvian, Novoandina, Fusion · about PEN 110 per person
Getting around
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Bus-queue line cutting & touts
Consettur bus queue, Av. Hermanos Ayar
Touts or pushy individuals slip into the long morning bus line ahead of waiting tourists, or offer to "hold a place" for a fee. Some claim the queue is for ticket-holders only to extract money.
How to avoid it: Join the back of the official queue, keep your printed bus ticket ready, and ignore anyone offering to speed you up for cash.
Overpriced restaurants with street touts
Av. Pachacutec & main street
Hosts aggressively pull tourists into restaurants with "free pisco sour" or discount promises, then the bill arrives padded with cover charges or higher-than-menu prices.
How to avoid it: Check the printed menu and confirm prices before sitting; favour established places like Indio Feliz or Mapacho and ignore hard-sell touts.
Fake or unlicensed guides at the entrance
Machu Picchu citadel entrance
People posing as official guides approach near the gate offering cheap tours, but lack the SERNANP/MINCUL licence and may abandon you or give inaccurate information.
How to avoid it: Hire guides through your hotel or a registered agency, and ask to see their official guide ID card before paying.
Inflated taxi/transfer fees at Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo station (gateway to the train)
Drivers at the train gateway quote sharply inflated fares to Cusco or the Sacred Valley to arriving/departing Machu Picchu travellers.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before getting in, or pre-book a transfer; know the typical collectivo rate to Cusco.